324 



SEPTEMBER. 



thrown abroad, and that fine, transparent haze 

 which is diffused over the valleys and lower 

 slopes as over a vast, inimitable picture. 



At this season of the year the ascents of our 

 own mountains are become most practicable. 

 The heat of summer has dried up the moisture 

 with which winter rains saturate the spongy turf 

 of the hollows; arid the atmosphere,, clear and 

 settled, admits of the most extensive prospects. 

 Whoever has not ascended our mountains knows 

 little of the beauties of this beautiful island. 

 Whoever has not climbed their long and 

 heathy ascents, and seen the trembling moun- 

 tain-flowers, the glowing moss, the richly-tinted 

 lichens at his feet ; and scented the fresh aroma 

 of the uncultivated sod, and of the spicy shrubs; 

 and heard the bleat of the flock across their 

 solitary expanses, and the wild cry of the moun- 

 tain-plover, the raven, or the eagle; and seen 

 the rich and russet hues of distant slopes and 

 eminences, the livid gashes of ravines and 

 precipices, the white glittering line of falling 

 waters, and the cloud tumultuously whirling 

 round the lofty summit ; and then stood pant- 

 ing on that summit, and beheld the clouds al- 

 ternately gather and break over a thousand 



